World Cup (2018) - Group B (Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran)

Wouldn't be surprised one bit if Portugal had another groupstage exit here. I was studying patterns in international football and how lowest of lows usually follow highest of high (winning Euros) and it could very well happen here.

The group and fixture format is very similar to last WC for Portugal. They got trashed by Germany first game, GD ruined, and even 4 points from next 2 wasn't enough. Now they face Spain first, whose coach absolutely loaths Portugal following his bad stint in Porto. Nether Iran nor Morocco are pushover teams for them just like Ghana and USA last World Cup and exactly teams that Portugal struggle against (organized defense, don't give up space, pacey when countering). Their defense is so old and slow, the team is completely reliant on Ronaldo (without him, they were tying Andorra in qualifiers).

Much depends on the first game of course. If Spain beat Portugal (let's say by 2 goals at least) then things get very interesting here. Morocco especially have been excellent in friendlies and didn't let in a single goal during qualifiers.

Zero expectation for Iran ,anything would be bonus

in fact if we somehow by any chance beat Morocco or get a point from other two it would be cause of celebration for people we have only one win in world cups after all

number of players who are sure of their place in the team/squad have had poor/below par season

Group winner likely face Arg in quarters wonder if Spain would want to deliberately finish 2nd

Sina wrote:Zero expectation for Iran ,anything would be bonus

in fact if we somehow by any chance beat Morocco or get a point from other two it would be cause of celebration for people we have only one win in world cups after all

number of players who are sure of their place in the team/squad have had poor/below par season

Group winner likely face Arg in quarters wonder if Spain would want to deliberately finish 2nd

I think that should be more of a concern for Argentina

Nope Nope if you can avoid team of Argentina's attacking talent you do

Sina wrote:Nope Nope if you can avoid team of Argentina's attacking talent you do

Argentina's attack is very over-rated.

For all the talk about their defense being a weakness and their attack being amazing, last World Cup it was their defense that carried them to the final.

Argentina's "amazing" attack scored a grand total of THREE goals vs. Iran, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Germany combined.

Spain also trashed Argentina 6-1 last month. Also, there is no guarantee of Argentina finishing first in their group, it's something they can easily *bleep* it up. Group D, in a way, is the strangest group for me as not a single result between teams would surprise me either way.

FWIW i predict Spain to reach the final but still if all big teams top their group as expected Brazil can avoid all of Spa/Ger/Arg until the final and any of those aforementioned 3 would have more difficult path

Come on, Argentina is a long shot, depending if course on what Messi can do. As usual they have a potential strong offense, but weak otherwise, although this time portero is decent. Remember they barely qualified for this.

Iran will be fortunate to get a goal let alone a point. Portugal will battle Morocco to advance.

But thanks for trying to stir up some interest / controversy in this group.

Just looked up who Argentina has in their group. You’ve got to be kidding. They will be lucky to get out of their group let alone be first,

futbol_bill wrote:Just looked up who Argentina has in their group. You’ve got to be kidding. They will be lucky to get out of their group let alone be first,

Why? Aside from Croatia, I don't see anyone else capable of posing a threat to them. They could finish second, but I don't see how they could fail to qualify over Nigeria and Iceland.

OK Now Argentina is actually underrated then

Argentina's group is trash, one thing I've noticed recently is people pay way too much attention to qualification performances.

It's absolutely meaningless, may I remind you that Argentina qualified on the final day with *bleep* Maradona as manager and they still made the quarter finals.

I think Nigeria can beat Argentina on a good day. They are due a win against them after all those matches after all. It all depends which Argentina shows up, actually. but of course, they are favourites to finish first in their group. All Nigeria, Croatia and Iceland have their obvious weaknesses as well.

Back to group B, I recently read this statistics on the internet.

In 36 matches that Spain, Portugal, Iran, and Morocco played in qualifiers (combined), all 4 teams combined only lost once (Portugal vs. Switzerland), and in total, all four teams combined conceded a grand total of 9 goals.

DoC, both Nigeria and Croatia can finish ahead of Argentina (again on how Messi performs - he isn’t exactly known for stellar performances with Argentina). And I wouldn’t think Iceland sre any pushovers with how they did in last Euros.

Yea futbol_bill you're being overdramatic

I’m Spanish, what do you expect

futbol_bill wrote:I’m Spanish, what do you expect

He's not wrong.

If there are to be any 'upsets' i think it will be in this group IMO

And Egypt's group too i suppose but i'm not sure them qualifying would count as an upset ?

Spain to comfortably top the group, 2nd place could be an upset but I still can't see Cristiano not securing that second spot with his heroic deeds.

As a half Moroccan (yup lol) I'll obviously be rooting for morroco. I wouldn't underestimate them. Their defense is very solid, and all their players are very physical. I remember Ivory Coast basically gave up trying to attack at one point in the qualifications, they couldn't even get a shot off.

I'm with @futbol_bill here, and I've said it before too.
I predict Argentina might not get out of their group.

Hapless_Hans wrote:I'm with @futbol_bill here, and I've said it before too.
I predict Argentina might not get out of their group.

A tough group. I think Portugal is being seriously underrated by some people. We must not forget they are European champions. They have a history of being very tough to beat even when they are not at their best.

I'll say something here which may not please some. There is only one thing missing from the phenomenal career of Cristiano Ronaldo. He has never performed at a world cup. It's all the more strange because he has been doing well in every single Euro he has played in and there are no less than four of them. When I say perform I do not mean he has to win the trophy but he has to at least stand up and be counted in at least one of the matches where his team faces a genuine contender for the title.

All said and done while Morocco will make things very tough neither of the Iberian neighbors should be exiting the competition so soon.

Tomorrow should be ufff

Glad we have a big game early into the world cup

I can't wait for GOATocco to pass the group
You are still on time to  hop on my bandwagon though